HP Color LaserJet CP3525dn: thoughts/experiences?

[cormandy]

Hi,

I purchased the HP color laserjet cp3505dn in early 2008 and was very disappointed with it. The main bugbears where 1) 50.2 fuser errors when printing envelopes when printer was waking from sleep (see other forum thread re: 50.2 fuser error); 2) super-slow envelop printing (printer spent lots of time "thinking" prior to printing envelope); 3) endless and repeated "calibrating..." after every print job...

It appears that hp has now discontinued the cp3505 and the cp3525dn has taken its place. I found it interesting that the form factor of the cp3525 is radically different from that of the cp3505. Perhaps this suggests a major rethink on the printer design on part of hp's engineers?

Has anyone used/maintained the cp3525? I would like to hear your opinions as I am considering replacing the disappointing cp3505 with the cp3525, but I do not want to be let down again.

-cormandy

[MichaelTech]

Have you upgraded the firmware? What are the %'s of consumables?
Why would you use this printer for envelopes? Do much color printing?

[cormandy]

Have you upgraded the firmware? yes, as of Nov 2009. Understand that a Dec 2009 version is now available.
What are the %'s of consumables?: 43% black. About 60% for colours.
Why would you use this printer for envelopes? I have a requirement to print envelopes on occasion as I run a business from home and have to send out professionally labelled envelopes
Do much color printing? More black-and-white than colour.
...
Note that the 50.2 fuser error was eventually addressed (search this forum for 50.2 fuser error and you will find my story...). I have owned at least 4 LaserJets over the years, including 2 hp4000s and in addition to the 3505 I presently also have a hp4350dn. I have never had issues with the 4000s or the 4350; however it is impractical to have both LaserJets (colour and B&W) as my home office is just too small to accommodate both. The 4350dn is usually in storage and it only used as a backup to the colour laser. In particular, when invoicing my clients, I must be able to print. If the printer breaks down (which the cp3505 has on MANY occasions), the 4350 comes out for the invoice run. No invoices, no money, no business, no income, no home for the home office... In this regard, the 4000 series has never disappointed...
...
What I would like is a colour LaserJet that I can rely on, yet one that is not as big as the 4700. Ideally, I would not like to have to retain the 4350 in storage as a backup.
...
So, on that note, is the cp3525dn better, more reliable and faster (envelope-wise) than the cp3505, or should I live with the cp3505dn and my backup 4350?